Mick Malthouse fires up over AFL’s Victorian bias, calls for Grand Final to be played in SA or WA
Mick Malthouse is “filthy” the AFL is making decisions based on Victoria’s coronavirus situation and not those in other states, even going as far to suggest the Grand Final shouldn’t be played at its traditional home.
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Two-time West Coast premiership coach Mick Malthouse has slammed the “Victorian centric” AFL and called for officials to move the Grand Final away from the MCG.
Speaking on ABC radio, Malthouse said he was “filthy” AFL and Victorian health officials were making decisions based on the current Victorian coronavirus conditions – not those in separate states and territories.
“I am so filthy and I have been since I coached West Coast, that it is so Victorian central,” he said.
“We are in a national competition.
“I get so annoyed.
“I am born and bred in Victoria, and I love Victoria, but we’ve got to grow up.”
Addressing the controversial three-year plan by coaching great Kevin Sheedy for teams to play 28-round seasons, including games in the middle of the week, Malthouse said that proposal would only benefit eastern states clubs.
“He hasn’t taken into consideration how difficult it is to keep a team travelling,” Malthouse said.
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Malthouse, who coached 718 AFL games for four clubs over a 31-year career that also included leading Collingwood to the 2010 title, says the AFL Grand Final should be held in either WA or SA to allow fans to attend, after a Victorian health official said fans would not be allowed into grounds until 2021.
“Our (West Coast’s) first Grand Final we had to play at Waverley,” Malthouse recalled.
The veteran coach also put forward the Northern Territory as a potential hub for the AFL to get the season back underway.
“They haven’t had a case in 11 days,” Malthouse said.
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